Experts reveal why 'nonnamaxxing' trend may improve mental, physical health

The key to feeling better in a fast, overstimulated world might be surprisingly simple: Live a little more like your grandparents.

"Nonnamaxxing is a 2026 trend that embraces the slower, more intentional lifestyle of an Italian grandmother (a Nonna). Think cooking from scratch, long family meals, daily walks, gardening and less screen time," Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.

Stepping away from screens and toward real-world interaction can have measurable benefits, according to California-based psychotherapist Laurie Singer.

"Nonnamaxxing encourages us to be present around a task, like gardening, baking or knitting, or just taking a mindful walk, that delivers something 'real,'" she said.

Palinski-Wade cautions against turning the trend into another source of pressure, noting that a traditional "nonna" lifestyle often assumes a different pace of life.

The goal is to reintroduce small, intentional moments that make you feel better.

Singer added, "Having a positive place to escape to, through whatever activities speak to us and make us happy, isn't generational - it's human."